Notify VC search panels I had formed, Governor tells Tamil Nadu govt.

From Page One THE HINDU 

Notify VC search panels I had formed, Governor tells Tamil Nadu govt.
21.12.2024

The Governor pointed out that his panel for Anna University comprised the nominees of the Chancellor, the State government, the Syndicate and the UGC Chairman, in accordance with the provisions of the University's Act and the UGC Regulations, 2018.

Similarly, the search committees for Bharathidasan and Periyar universities included the nominees of the State government, the universities' Senate and Syndicate, and the UGC Chairman, the statement added.

The release further pointed out that the Governor-Chancellor, acting within the ambit of Constitutional and legal provisions, had constituted the search committees to ensure a fair and impartial process for selecting V-Cs.

The Governor also objected to the Higher Education Department's action of notifying the search committee for Bharathidasan University on December 9; and for Periyar and Anna universities on December 13. The government orders were published in the Gazette, and the committees excluded the UGC Chairman's nominee, he added.

On Thursday, Minister Govi. Chezhiaan cited a Supreme Court judgment, dated July 17, 2013, in support of the government's stand in the matter. The Raj Bhavan, in its response, said the statement was misleading. The Supreme Court, in another judgment on October 21, 2022, held that any appointment as a VC made on the recommendation of the search committee constituted contrary to the provisions of the UGC Regulations, shall be void ab initio, it added.

It further pointed out that any selection by a search committee constituted without the UGC chairman's nominee was bound to be quashed by the court. The role of a VC is pivotal in shaping the future of universities, and keeping the post vacant went against the interest of students.

Minister responds

Higher Education Minister Govt. Chezhiaan demanded that the Governor pave the way for filling vacant VC posts instead of creating hurdles to the process.

In response to the Governor's statement, the Minister said Mr. Ravi was merely repeating himself, despite the State government having pointed out that it had followed the regulations brought in by the State legislature.

He urged the Governor not to create a “crisis situation”. The University Grants Commission can only make recommendations. The State need not follow the UGC recommendations, he said.

Mr. Chezhiaan said the Governor appeared to have an ulterior motive in repeatedly demanding that the UGC Chairman's nominee be included, even though the State had followed the respective university's statutes in constituting the VC search panel.

The Minister said the Governor was interfering in the State's functions. He should instead focus on ensuring that the State universities receive the funds due to them from the UGC, which had been drastically reduced or delayed for many years, he added.

He urged the Governor to give up his “politically-motivated” attack, and instead work to improve the functioning of the universities.

The Minister said the government would address the issue legally.